Bicycle-saddle.



No. 640,373. Patented Jan. 2, I900. J. C. FLEMlNG.

BICYCLE SADDLE.

(Applica ion filed Feb. 18, 1889.)

(N0 Modei.)

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JOHN "U. FLEMING, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BlCYCLE SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,373, dated January2, 1 900.

Application filed February 18, 1899. $e1i 1N '7 1 22- (N0 model-3 To aZZwl'tmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. FLEMING, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bicycle-Saddles,whichimprovement is fully set forth in the following specification andaccompanying drawings.

My invention consists of an improved construction of bicycle saddlewhich can be readily attached'to existing bicycle-frames withoutnecessitating any change in the latter, provision being made byemployment of a channeled or recessed T-shaped frame forming a part ofthe saddle proper, in conjunction with a 'lT-shaped spring mounted on asuitable base attached to the bicycle-frame for insuring great freedomof movement, and thus relieving the body of the rider from the jars andconcussions incident to the propulsion of the vehicle.

It further consists of novel details of construction, all as will behereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a bicycle-saddle embodying myinvention, showing especially the under portion thereof. Fig. 2represents aperspective view of a supporting-spring employed, the samebeing shown in detached position. Fig. 3 represents a perspective viewof a frame or base adapted to be mounted upon a bicycle, said framesupporting said spring and carrying fastening devices common thereto andto the saddle. Fig. 4 represents a sectional View of a portion of thebase seen in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 represents a section on line 00 :c, Fig. 1.Fig. 6 represents, on a reduced scale, a side elevation, showing thesaddle and its adjuncts in assembled position. Fig. 7 represents abottom plan view of a modified form of T-shaped frame, a portion of saidframe being extended toward the rear of the saddle. Fig. 8 represents aperspective view of a spring adapted to be used in conjunction with theframe and saddle seen in Fig. 7.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a bicycle-saddle, the samehaving suitably secured to the under portion thereof a T-shaped frame B,the latter consisting of a transverse member 0, having a channel orrecess D therein, said member 0 being connected to the longitudinallyextending member E, which is provided with a channel or recess F.

G designates a T-shaped spring, the same having the lateral member 1 1and the l0ngitudinally-extending member J, the extremities K of saidlateral member being adapted to support the saddle and be guided in thechannel or recess D, while the extremity L of the member J of saidspring is adapted to be guided in the recess F when the parts arassembled.

M designates a lower frame or base, the same consisting of a bodyportion N, having an opening P therein, through which passes the portionQ of the bicycle-frame, said base l\.[ being held in position relativethereto by means of a set-screw R or other analogous fastening device.

S designates arms or bifurcations extending from the body portion N ofthe base M, said arms having openings T therethrough, in which arelocated and guided the rods or stems U, the latter having their upperextremities passing through the frame B and held in position relative tothe latter by means of a shoulder and a nut V or similar fasteningdevice, as will be understood from Fig. 5. The spring G is secured tothe frame M by means of rivets or other suitable fastening devices, aswill be understood from Fig. at.

The operation is as follows: The parts are first assembled by securingthe spring G and the frame or base M in substantially the mannerindicated in Fig. 4, it being of course understood that the longitudinalmember J of the spring points in the direction of the front wheel of thebicycle, the member H extending transversely, after which the saddlecontaining the T-shaped frame B is placed in position above the spring,said saddle being supported upon the extremities K and L of the springG, the parts now appearing in their assembled position, as indicated inFig. 6. The guides or rods U having been placed in position, it will beevident that the saddle A will be held under all conditions in theproper relative position to the spring G and its adjuncts.

It will be apparent that by guiding the rods U as described I permit afree action of the spring G and prevent a swinging motion of the saddle,which occurs in springsaddles of the usual construction, said rods,however, permitting a free up-and-down movement of the saddle. In orderto prevent any jar or concussion in the act of riding, I interposebetween the heads W of the rods U and the under side of the arms S thewashers X, of rubber or similar material, the effect of which isevident.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modified form of T-shaped frame, the latterhaving the recessed extension Y toward the rear thereof, whereby theframe which is now designated as Z becomes of the shape of a cross,having the lateral recessed members A and the longitudinal recessedmember B, which extends toward the front wheel of the bicyclewhen thesaddle is in place.

In Fig. 8 I showa form of spring especially applicable to the frame Z,said spring being of substantially the same contour as the spring G, buthaving the member J extended rearwardly, as indicated at C, which latterrests upon and is guided in the recessed portion Y of the frame Z whenthe parts are assembled, wherefrom it will be seen that the saddle seenin Fig. 7 has four points of support, which latter form may be desirablein some instances where extra or additional strength is needed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that by my invention I have produceda saddle which can'be cheaply manufactured and assembled and one inwhich great resiliency is attained under all conditions, whereby thebody of the rider is free from the injurious jar and concussion whichordinarily take place in saddles of the usual construction.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a bicycle-saddle, a base adapted to be secured toa bicycle-frame, a spring having lateral arms secured thereto, armsprojecting from said base, said spring being supported on the latter, achanneled T-shaped frame mounted upon the ends of said spring and rodsdepending from said T- shaped frame, and passing freely through openingsin the arms of said base and heads on said rods.

2. The combination of a bicycle-saddle, a base adapted to be secured toa bicycle-frame, a spring having lateral arms secured thereto, armsprojecting from said base, said spring being supported on the latter, achanneled T-shaped frame mounted upon the ends of said spring and rodsdepending from said T- -shaped frame, and passing freely throughopenings in the arms of said base, heads on said rods and cushioningdevices supported on said heads.

3. In a bicycle-saddle, a base adapted to be attached to abicycle-frame, arms projecting from said base, openings in said arms,a-spring having lateral and longitudinal arms, said spring being securedto said base at the junction of said arms, a saddle having a recessedframe secured to the under portion thereof, said frame resting upon theupwardly-deflected ends of said spring, and rods freely guided in saidbase, and having their upper ends secured in said frame.

4. In a bicycle-saddle, a base adapted to be attached to abicycle-frame, arms projecting from said base, openings in said arms, aspring secured to said base, a saddle having a frame secured to itsunder portion, said spring supporting said frame and saddle, rods freelymovable in the arms projecting from said base, said rods having a headat their lower portion, washers supported upon said heads, and ashoulder on the upper portion of said rods, and in contact with saidframe, the upper extremity of said rods being threaded, passing throughsaid frame and engaged by nuts or other fastening devices.

JOHN C. FLEMING.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, E. HAYWARD FAIRBANKS.

